For generations our Armed
Forces have served their country across the world in many roles from
war fighting, peacekeeping and reconstruction to home defence. In
so doing, they have defended our country, our way of life and our
cherished values. A large number of our veterans are young and active
and now use the skills, the discipline and the leadership qualities
they learned in the Armed Forces to benefit their civilian employers
and the wider community. The Ministry of Defence Strategy for Veterans
highlights that because of all this it is important to focus on supporting
veterans of all ages, by celebrating, and raising public awareness
of, their achievements and their contribution to society. To promote
recognition of veterans by the wider British public the unique and
unifying symbol of the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge was introduced.
The UK Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge was launched in May
2004 by the Minister of Veterans, to raise the profile of veterans
by assisting the wider public to recognise them. The first veterans
badge was issued to Lord Healy, a veteran of the Battle for Monte
Cassino, on 10 May 2004, which initiated the roll out of the badge
to the Second World War veteran generation. Since then eligibility
to apply for the badge has been extended in sequential phases to all
veterans. This has now closed the gap between those who apply for
their badge and those who receive it automatically on leaving the
Services.
The badge is an enamelled, engraved, and pinned, lapel
badge featuring the words “HM Armed Forces – Veteran”,
which encompass the Tri-Service, Anchor, Crossed Swords and Eagle
motif. Its symbolism is intended to unite all veterans in recognising
the commonality of their service, to encourage a sense of unity and
community between surviving veterans and to ignite public recognition
of current veterans and their continuing contribution to society.
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Eligibility
Criteria
All those who have served in HM Armed Forces. |
Exceptions
Veterans who served in Armed Forces of other Countries and
those who served alongside HM Armed Forces are not eligible
(e.g. Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force). |
| Posthumous
requests
The badge is a survivors badge and therefore is not issued
posthumously.
The only exceptions are War Widows and Widowers who are in
receipt of a War Widows/Widowers Pension paid by the Service
Personnel and Veterans Agency. This is in recognition of the
fact that their death was due to their military service.
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How
to apply
You can apply by any of the following methods:
Click on the link below to access the application form.
Please ensure you complete the form as fully
as possible. You may post
or fax your
completed form to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.
Another option is to download the form, complete it electronically,
save the form and return to the Service Personnel and Veterans
Agency by email. If you wish, you may call the Freephone number
to apply. Please ensure you have to hand all the details asked
for on the application form. |
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Postal address:
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency,
Norcross
Thornton-Cleveleys,
Lancashire,
FY5 3WP
Fax:
01253 330561(UK Only)
+44 1253 330561 (Overseas)
Email:
veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Freephone Helpline
Free: 0800 169 2277 (UK only)
Free: 0800 169 3458 (Minicom UK only)
+44 1253 866043 (Overseas)
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Application
Form